Portable cleaning device

ABSTRACT

An integrated cleaning system including a casing for storing a cleaning agent, a pump sprayer seated in said casing for dispensing the cleaning agent to a desired surface, a towel for cleaning the desired surface, and a towel stowing mechanism to extend the towel between a first extended position for use and a second stored position for storing the towel in the casing. The towel stowing mechanism may be rotated to stow the towel in the second position. In another embodiment the towel stowing means, when initiated by a user, automatically retracts the towel into the second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) fromU.S. Application Serial No. 60/353,749 filed on Jan. 29, 2002 andincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention pertains to a device for cleaning objectssuch as eyeglasses, sunglasses, lenses, golf balls, mirrors and otheritems. More particularly, the invention relates to a portable integratedsystem, which is capable of delivering a cleaning agent to a surface forcleaning and withdrawing the same in a convenient and efficient manner.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] It is frequently necessary to remove dirt, films, moisture andother soiling materials from objects in one's possession, e.g.,sunglasses. Often, such soiling materials need to be removed while intransit or away from where conventional cleaning materials may bestored. Previous attempts have been made to provide integrated cleaningsystems that are convenient for a user, and some that are portable.Examples of the previous attempts follow.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,104 to Wolska-Klis discloses an eyeglasscleaning station including a compartmented housing containing adispensing bottle of liquid lens cleaning material and a dispensing boxof disposable lens cleaning tissue. The eyeglass-cleaning compartmentmay be placed on a countertop.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,661 to Burwell discloses a lens or eyeglasscleaning device having an elongated storage container and a cleaningcloth attached to the container with a retaining cord in a manner thatthe cloth may be retracted into the container by pulling on an end ofthe retaining cord opposite the cloth.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,751 to Madkour discloses a portable kit forcleaning eyeglass lenses which includes a flat, flexible containerhaving to separately openable compartments, one of the compartmentscontains a liquid eyeglass lens cleaner absorbed on an absorbentmaterial and the second compartment contains a dry wiping material whichmay be removed to wipe lens cleaner from a lens.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,132 to Valadez and U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,134 toTsai disclose respective pens for cleaning eyeglasses. The Valadezeyeglass cleaning pen includes felt tip for applying cleaning solutionin a first container to a desired surface and a second container servingas a cap and dispenser for a wiping material. The Tsai eyeglass-cleaningpen consists of a similar felt tip pen having at least one spectaclescrewdriver removably mounted on the pen body.

[0010] The foregoing attempts, and other conventional systems, each havecertain drawbacks including; for example, certain of the above-describedsystems: (i) are not conveniently suitable for portable situations(e.g., the Wolska-Klis eyeglass station); (ii) do not include anycleaning agent whatsoever (e.g. the Burwell device for cleaningeyeglasses) and rely solely on a cleaning cloth for removal of soils(referred to as “dry systems”); and/or (iii) utilize small amounts ofcleaning solution, such as the type applied by a felt tip (e.g., Valadezand Tsai pens)(referred to as “semi-dry systems”).

[0011] Dry systems and semi-dry systems may work in some cases where thesoiling material present on the surface to be cleaned is minute and/orhas not significantly hardened. However dry and semi-dry systems maydamage plastic lenses or UV/polarized coated lenses and can often leadto smearing of the soiling material, as opposed to removal, when acleaning cloth is applied to a surface dry/semi-dry surface.

[0012] Additionally, certain of the conventional systems are complicatedand not convenient to use and are suitable only for cleaningeyeglass/sunglass lenses (e.g., the Madkour portable kit for cleaningeyeglass lenses.)

[0013] An integrated cleaning system is desired that is relativelysimple and compact, convenient to use, effective at removing evenstubborn soil and from all types of surfaces and is portable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, one or more of the foregoingproblems is addressed by providing a portable cleaning device including:a body portion having a space for accommodating a cleaning agent, atowel attached to the body portion that may be used to remove thecleaning agent and/or soils; and a cleaning agent dispensing mechanismthat fits into the space for delivering the cleaning agent to a desiredlocation.

[0015] In certain embodiments of the invention, the towel is attached tothe body portion in a two-position configuration, including a firstposition for stowing the towel and a second position for using the towelto remove the cleaning agent and/or soils.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the towel is stowedsubstantially inside of the body when in the first position and thetowel is retractably extended substantially outside of the body when inthe second position.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the towel may beretracted from the second position to the first position by a userinitiating a spring retract mechanism.

[0018] In other embodiments of the invention, a user may turn a dial toretract the towel from the second position to the first position.

[0019] In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the cleaning agentdispensing mechanism includes a spray nozzle and a fluid bottleconfigured to fit into the space of the body.

[0020] In another embodiment of the Invention, the cleaning agentdispensing mechanism includes a spray nozzle that seats into afluid-containing reservoir formed in the space of the portable cleaningdevice body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0021] Further aspects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following description of the invention inreference to the appended drawing in which like numerals denote likeelements and in which:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable cleaning deviceaccordingly to one embodiment of the invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the portable cleaningdevice of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate left and front side and cross-sectionalviews of the portable cleaning device of FIG. 1;

[0025]FIG. 4A-4C illustrate respective perspective, side and end viewsof a cleaning cloth retracting element according to one embodiment ofthe invention;

[0026]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portable cleaningdevice having spring-loaded retract mechanism according to various otherembodiments of the present invention; and

[0027] FIGS. 6A-7E illustrate respective cross-sectional back, leftside, and cross-sectional end and bottom views of the portable cleaningdevice of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The present invention integrates several features of a cleaningsystem into a single device. Referring to FIGS. 1-4C, a portablecleaning device 100 preferably includes a body portion 105 (alsoreferred to herein as “casing”) including a cleaning agent reservoir 110for stowing a cleaning agent, a dispensing mechanism 120 for dispensingthe cleaning agent to a desired location and a towel 130 for cleaningand removing soil from the desired location.

[0029] Body portion 105 may be any mechanism having a reservoir 110 ororifice suitable for enclosing a liquid, gel, or dry cleaning agent, orcapable of receiving a self-contained apparatus that contains the same.In one embodiment of the invention, body portion 105 comprises a moldedplastic casing. Color, shape and selection of materials used for casing105 is discretionary and may vary depending on the environment for whichdevice 100 will be exposed as well as the type of cleaning agentselected for use. Casing 105 may be flexible or rigid depending on thetype material it is made from. Optionally, but preferably, casing 105includes a reservoir 110 that may be refilled with a liquid cleaningagent through the use of, for example, a removable reservoir cap 214(FIG. 2) or a removable dispensing mechanism such as pump sprayer 120(FIG. 2) or self-contained sprayer (e.g., 520; FIG. 5).

[0030] Body portion 105 may also include an optional lid 212 to isolatethe dispensing mechanism 120 from incidental contact and/or prevent, forexample, stored cleaning agent from accidentally discharging or leakingfrom device 100. Lid 212 may be hinged to, and/or completely removablefrom body portion 105.

[0031] Dispensing mechanism 120 may be any mechanism for transferring acleaning agent to a desired location, including but not limited to, anozzle, a hole, or a pump sprayer. In one preferred embodiment,dispensing mechanism 120 is a pumping spray nozzle operative to dispensea liquid cleaning agent such as an alcohol-based cleaner. Dispensingmechanism 120 may be fixed to reservoir 110 or removably attached using,for example, threaded, snap or clamp attachment mechanisms. Inalternative embodiments discussed hereafter, dispensing mechanism is aself-contained spray bottle that is accommodated in reservoir 110.

[0032] Towel 130 may be any flexible and/or absorbent material forremoving cleaning agent and/or soil from the desired location, includingbut not limited to any type of man-made or naturally occurring fiber,cloth or paper or any combination thereof. In one embodiment of theinvention towel 130 comprises an absorbent micro-fiber cleaning cloth,in other embodiments towel 130 is a cotton cloth. Towel 130 ispreferably attached to the body portion and most preferably, attachedusing a retracting mechanism as described in more detail hereafter. Inother embodiments towel 130 is a plurality of disposable cloths on aroll and separated by perforations for tearing away used cloths.

[0033] Cleaning device 100 may also optionally include retainingmechanism 116 (FIG. 1) for attaching device 100 to a desired location.Any mechanism or combination of mechanisms suitable for this purpose maybe used; for example, in one embodiment retaining mechanism 116comprises a clip for attaching device 100 to a desired surface.Alternatively, or in addition, a hole formed in device 100 and a stringor chain also may serve as retaining mechanism 116.

[0034] In preferred embodiments of the invention, towel 130 is storedsubstantially in an interior portion of body portion 105 and may beextended and subsequently retracted by hand or automatically via a towelstowing mechanism 240. Towel stowing mechanism 240 may be any device orcombination of devices for enabling a user to utilize towel 130 (e.g.,removing soil and/or cleaning agent from a desired surface) andsubsequently store towel 130 at least partially within device 100. Inone embodiment of the invention, towel stowing mechanism 240 includes apin 242 and a winder 240.

[0035] Towel 130 may be fixed to winder 240 or removable forinterchanging towels when desired. In one embodiment, pin 242 is used tosecure towel 130 to winder 244 wherein towel 130 extends through a slotin casing 105 of device 100 and may be wound around winder 244 to stowtowel 130 substantially inside casing 105. However, pin 242 may beomitted and any means for attaching towel 130 to winder 244 may be used.

[0036] A user may extend towel 130 for use simply by pulling on anexposed end of towel 130. Subsequently, winder 244 may be rotated toretract towel 130 substantially inside casing 105. A second pin (notshown) may optionally be attached to the end of towel 130 remainingoutside of body portion 105. The second pin may serve to: (i) preventtowel 130 from winding completely inside body portion 105; (ii) assistin keeping towel 130 in a substantially flat and retractable form; and(iii) provide a grip for a user to pull on towel 130. The pins of thepresent invention may be metal, plastic or any other substantially rigidmaterial that may be suitable for their respectively described purposes.

[0037] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate various views of winder 244 according toone preferred embodiment of the invention. Winder 244 is preferablyconfigured to have a portion 245 that is accessible by a user to windtowel 130 into casing 105. However, winder 244 may be configured withother components to automatically retract as discussed in respect toother embodiments hereafter. Winder 244 also includes a mechanism 246(FIG. 4C) for attaching towel 130. Mechanism 246 may be any mechanismfor fixedly or temporarily attaching towel 130 to winder 244. In oneembodiment mechanism 246 includes a slot 247 and a hole 248 forreceiving pin 242.

[0038] As shown, device 100 also includes optional reservoir cap 214 forretaining liquid cleaning agent in reservoir 110. However, if reservoir110 is not intended to be refilled, may be refilled by other means (suchas removal of dispensing mechanism 120), or is configured to receive aself contained cleaning agent dispenser, cap 214 may be omitted.However, if included, cap 214 is preferably configured to retaincleaning agents within reservoir 110 without leaking using for example,a sealed threaded connection or other sealed fastening means.

[0039] Cleaning device 100 of the present invention is an integratedsystem that is portable and readily enables a user to clean, forexample, eyeglasses, sunglasses, golf balls and clubs, compact discs andother optical storage mediums, mirrors and windows (home, office andautomobiles), computer screens, cell phones, jewelry, shoes and anyother items that a user may desire to clean, using a cleaning agent anda towel.

[0040] An exemplary method of cleaning a desired location using cleaningdevice 100 includes: (i) opening lid 212 on device 100; (ii) dispensingcleaning agent to the desired location by applying pressure to thedispensing mechanism 120; (iii) pulling towel 130 from casing 105; (iv)wiping the desired location with extended towel 130; (v) retractingtowel 130 into casing 110; and (vi) closing lid 212.

[0041] Turning to FIGS. 5 and 6A-6E, a portable cleaning device 500according to a second embodiment of the invention includes casing 505,winder 544 and auto retract components 530. Device 500 also includes atowel (not shown) similar to that discussed in respect to previousembodiments.

[0042] In preferred implementations casing 505 includes a recess 501 forreceiving a self-contained spray apparatus 520. Casing 505 is alsoconfigured to receive winder 544 and auto-retract components 530, andoptionally includes components for accommodating a cap 512 to enclosespray apparatus 520 inside of device 500.

[0043] Winder 544 is similar to winder 244 in previously discussedembodiments optionally omitting exposed winding surface 245 andincluding one or more ratchet components 546 configured for mating withauto-retract components 530 to provide the spring loaded retractfeatures discussed herein.

[0044] Auto-retract components 530 serve to provide spring bias againstwinder 544 when the towel is in the extended position, and a releasemechanism to facilitate user-initiated retracting of the towel intocasting 505. Auto retract components may be any mechanism or combinationof mechanisms to facilitate these purposes. In preferredimplementations, auto-retract components 530 include clockwork spring532, push button 534, push button spring 536 and end cap 538. Pushbutton 536 includes one or more prawls 537 for engaging with ratchetcomponents 546 of winder 544.

[0045] Auto retract components 530 are arranged in device 500 such thatwhen the towel is extended, a user may depress a portion of push button534 extending through end cap 538 to disengage prawl 537 from ratchetcomponents 546. Once prawl 537 is disengaged from ratchet components546, winder 544 rotates back to its original towel stowing position, byvirtue of clockwork spring 532, and thus retracting the towel intocasing 505.

[0046] The skilled artisan will recognize that there are many possiblealternative arrangements of mechanical parts that could provide userinitiated auto-retract features of the present invention. All sucharrangements that provide equivalent functionality are within the scopeof the present invention.

[0047] As previously discussed, the embodiments of the present inventionmay be configured to receive self-contained spray bottles. Accordingly,the device of the present invention may be configured to accommodatecommercially available portable spray cleaners such as: Natural Eyes andShinize brand cleaners available from Quality Accessories, Inc., SEESPRAY® brand cleaner available from QUIXTAR, Ultra Clarity brand lenscleaner available from Nanofilm, and the like. Alternatively, the devicemay include its own self-contained refillable spray bottle.

[0048] Unless contrary to physical possibility, the inventor envisionsthe methods and systems described herein: (i) may be performed in anysequence and/or combination; and (ii) the components of respectiveembodiments combined in any manner.

[0049] Although there have been described preferred embodiments of thisnovel invention, many variations and modifications are possible and theembodiments described herein are not limited by the specific disclosureabove, but rather should be limited only by the scope of the appendedclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A portable cleaning device comprising: acasing having a towel extending opening; a winder disposed inside of thecasing; and an absorbent towel attached on a first end thereof to thewinder and a second end thereof exposed outside of the casing, whereinthe towel may be extended from the casing through the towel extendingopening by pulling on the second end.
 2. The device of claim 1 whereinthe towel may be retracted into the casing around said winder.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the towel comprises a disposable materialrolled around said winder.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the casingincludes a receptacle for accommodating a cleaning agent.
 5. The deviceof claim 4 wherein the receptacle is configured to receive a cleaningagent delivery apparatus.
 6. The device of claim 1 further comprising aspray mechanism disposed in said casing and operative to deliver aprovided cleaning solution to a desired location.
 7. The device of claim1 wherein the towel comprises a cloth capable of being retracted, froman extended position, into the casing by turning the winder.
 8. Thedevice of claim 7 wherein the cloth comprises a micro-fiber cloth. 9.The device of claim 7 wherein the cloth comprises a cotton cloth. 10.The device of claim 1 further comprising a spring-biased retractmechanism operative to retract the towel from an extended position to aretracted position upon initiation of the spring-biased retractmechanism by a user.
 11. The device of claim 10 further comprising aretaining mechanism operative to attach the device to a desiredlocation.
 12. The device of claim 7 further comprising a retainingmechanism operative to attach the device to a desired location.
 13. Thedevice of claim 11, wherein the retaining mechanism is a clip.
 14. Thedevice of claim 6 wherein the spray mechanism comprises a spray nozzle.15. The device of claim 6 wherein the spray mechanism comprises aself-contained spray apparatus.
 16. The device of claim 4 furthercomprising a cap operative to enclose receptacle.
 17. A portablecleaning system comprising: a body portion having an opening and areceptacle; a towel stowed in the body portion and configured to beextended through said opening by pulling on the towel; a spray mechanismdisposed in said receptacle and operative to deliver a cleaning agent toa desired area; and a towel retract mechanism configured to enable auser to retract the towel from an extended position into the bodyportion.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the towel retract mechanismcomprises a winder that may be turned by a user to retract said towel.19. The system of claim 17 wherein the towel retract mechanism comprisesa spring-loaded mechanism operative to retract the towel into the bodyportion upon pushing of a button.
 20. A portable device for cleaningobjects, the device comprising: a casing including spray means forapplying a cleaning agent, wiping means for removing applied cleaningagent and/or soil, winding means for extending and retracting the wipingmeans between a first extended position and a second retracted position.21. The device of claim 20 wherein the winding means includesspring-loaded means for automated retraction of said wiping means.